New Pope chosen!

[walkonby]

but FP, no one bashed, so it worked! lol

[Shwa Girl]

I gather this fellow was not one of the front runners and is quite conservative ?

I think he was a front runner the last time, 8 years ago.
As a cardinal, he lived simply. He cooked his own meals.
Interesing, he has only one lung. From a childhood accident. But he has lived to 76. So he must have known suffering and may be very empathetic as a Pope.

[Natalka]

Getting off now to watch on tv.

Very exciting and special day, indeed!

So very special for South America and, of course, Catholics around the world!

[angel_2011]

yay! St. Francis is my patron saint

[Shwa Girl]

I think this was a very classy beginning for this Pope.
He said, "before I pray for you, I am going to ask you a favour. I am going to ask you to pray for me."
I am not Catholic, but this is a classy start.
Nice.

[walkonby]

I need to know what he said in the first few sentences that made the crowd laugh? There was no interpreter on CP24 Live which I was watching.

[electric_viking]

I'm not religious by any means but that was cool to watch. I'm glad I found this thread before he came out...on the balcony to address the crowd.
it's an historic moment.

[MrsSunshine]

not sure WOB.. but hubby says he's like a cool grandpa.. that from him is a HUGE compliment. considering our families past.. HUGE compliment.

[Shwa Girl]

I need to know what he said in the first few sentences that made the crowd laugh? There was no interpreter on CP24 Live which I was watching.

I think he said "have a good night and have a good sleep"

[Shwa Girl]

I need to know what he said in the first few sentences that made the crowd laugh? There was no interpreter on CP24 Live which I was watching.

CNN is reporting he said "Here I am." and more specifically,
"As you know, the duty of the conclave was to appoint a bishop of Rome," he told a cheering crowd of thousands packed into St. Peter's Square.

"It seems to me that my brother cardinals have chosed one who is from faraway. ... Here I am. I would like to thank you for your embrace."

[walkonby]

ha ha ! Thanks Shwa!!

[Shwa Girl]

I am hearing on the news that the new Pope has a PhD in Theology.

[DaveP]

I'm an atheist, and also former Catholic. I'd like to extend my congratulations to all the Catholics here on the election of a new Pope to lead the Church. He's a great choice, coming from the continent in which the Church is the strongest and where it is thriving. I hope he proves to be a progressive leader who leads the Church into the future.

Nothing but best wishes folks (heck, I almost got choked up when I saw the white smoke, almost made me wish I was back in the fold), I'll save my atheism for another day. Congrats all.

[abbasgirl]

As a protestant with a deep love for the church as a whole, I also want to extend my best wishes.
This new Pope has a monumental task ahead of him, but I think the humility he is continually expressing will get him far. He couldn't have chosen a better name!

[Natalka]

Last night he wouldn't leave in the provided car, but took the bus with the rest of the cardinals.

Pope Francis spent his first morning as pontiff on Thursday at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome - and his visit was not announced ahead of time. After leaving, he went to the clerical hostel where he had been staying to pick up his bags and, yes, pay his bill.



He'll be installed formally on Tuesday - the Feast of St. Joseph - with a Mass at St. Peter's Basilica. It usually takes place on a Sunday, but will be held Tuesday since it's a Vatican holiday.

During the inauguration, Francis will receive his papal regalia, including a pallium, which is a wool cloak or a mantle, and his "fisherman's ring." A new ring is cast in gold for each pope, to remind that the pontiff is a successor of Saint Peter, who was a fisherman by trade.